Page 91 of Theirs to Ruin

“Let’s just say a lot of Irish dishes have a similar theme: hearty and starchy. I prefer a little more diversity with my meals.”

“Hmm. Just like with your women,” I muttered, fighting a nasty spark of jealousy that struck out of nowhere.

He cocked an eyebrow. “Boy, Ty really got to you, didn’t he, Rebel?”

“Not at all.”

“Then why are you trying to push me away? Or am I wrong about Ty being the reason? Is it what we did earlier? Did I scare you? Hurt you?”

His searching expression was troubled now, and I couldn’t stand the thought of him thinking that he’d given me anything but pleasure and an amazing orgasm back at my dorm.

I let out a defeated sigh and put my hands on either side of his waist. “You’re right. He got to me. I’m sorry for being bitchy.”

He smirked. “If that was you being bitchy, we’ll have to work on getting you better at it.”

I laughed and he pulled me in for a hug. I closed my eyes, enjoying being in his arms until the lingering sting of Ty’s words and actions almost disappeared completely.

Kage smoothed his hand over my hair then pulled back. “Ready to come downstairs with me?”

I nodded. “Yes. Pizza?”

“Do you like meat?”

“Sure. I…” I narrowed my eyes and held up a finger in warning. “Don’t you dare say it.”

“What?”

“Some innuendo about you and your….your…”

He raised his brows and smirked. “Spit it out, Rebel.”

“Fine. Your…meat stick,” I finally said, my face flaming.

He adorably feigned innocence. “Would I say something like that?”

“Yes, you would.”

“Why, when it’s obviously where you went on your own? Fuck, you’ve got a dirty mind.”

He walked out of the room and headed down the stairs.

I trailed after him, pretending to be outraged.

We made our way to the kitchen before he stopped and turned to face me with a much more serious expression. “You’re handling everything incredibly well, you know. Ava’s death. The bullying. Being ordered to move here and face your asshole of an ex.”

“To be honest, I don’t feel like I’m handling it well at all,” I admitted, looking down at my hands.

“Sometimes, strength doesn’t feel like strength when you’re in the middle of using it.”

His words lingered in the air, floating there like an untouchable truth, and I didn’t know what to say. I felt vulnerable, stripped bare under the weight of his gaze. He was talking about me, but his words applied equally to himself. Losing his sister had to be almost unbearable. He must be using all his strength just to keep upright.

A knock echoed from the front door, loud enough to jar me out of the intimate bubble that had been enveloping us. We heard footsteps—Ty’s—then muffled voices.

Kage pulled out his phone. “Have you ever tried Zelda’s Pizza?”

“No, but if you like them?—"

Suddenly, Ty strode into the kitchen his expression a blend of annoyance and something I couldn’t place.

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